Double blow for Ireland ahead of All Blacks clash
INJURY UPDATE: Conor Murray has been ruled out of Ireland’s Test against world champions New Zealand this weekend, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Monday.
The British and Irish Lions scrum-half has not played since injuring his neck during Ireland’s tour of Australia in June.
Nevertheless, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said following last weekend’s 28-17 win at home to Argentina that Murray, one of the world’s leading scrum-halves, could still make a shock return against the All Blacks at Dublin’s Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
But the IRFU confirmed on Monday that Murray, who was omitted from reigning Six Nations champions Ireland’s original November internationals squad, would not feature at all this month.
“Conor Murray is accelerating through his recovery but will not join the squad during the Guinness Series window,” their statement said.
Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw will also miss the Tests with New Zealand and the United States after suffering a hamstring strain while warming-up shortly before kick-off against the Pumas last Saturday.
“Robbie Henshaw’s hamstring issue will rule him out of the remainder of the Guinness Series,” the IRFU added.
AFP
